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Adrian Chadwick

Partner

Dubai

+971 4 4292999

Adrian is a commercial dispute resolution specialist. He has substantial experience handling a wide range of general commercial disputes through litigation, arbitration, or alternative dispute resolution (ADR).

Adrian was admitted as a Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales in 1987. In addition he was admitted as a solicitor in Hong Kong (1990), as a Solicitor and Barrister of the Australian Capital Territory (1993) and as a Barrister of the High Court of Australia (1993). He has worked in several jurisdictions namely England (1985-89 and 1995-2008), Hong Kong (1989 – 1995) and Dubai, UAE (February 2008 to date).

He regularly represents his clients as Counsel in arbitrations governed by various institutional rules including DIAC, DIFC-LCIA, ICC, and LMAA. He has also been appointed as a Sole Arbitrator by DIAC for several arbitration matters. He is a member of the International Council for Commercial Arbitration (ICCA).

Adrian is registered as a Legal Practitioner of the DIFC Courts with full rights of advocacy and has appeared many times as an Advocate before these Courts and before the Special Tribunal relating to Dubai World and its Subsidiaries. He is a member of the DIFC Courts’ Users’ Committee and its Rules Sub-Committee. He is also a lecturer for the DIFC Academy of Law. He handled the leading case heard by the DIFC Court on forum non conveniens.

He also regularly works with our UAE Advocates in connection with a wide range of disputes before the UAE Courts where the governing law of the dispute is Dubai Law as applied in the Emirate of Dubai. Adrian is licensed to advise on UAE Law by the Dubai Government’s Legal Affairs Department.

Adrian has developed particular experience handling multi-jurisdiction enforcement of judgments and arbitration awards including directly through the UAE Courts or through the DIFC Court as a conduit court for enforcement in onshore Dubai. He has appeared as an expert witness before the Sudanese Courts on enforcement of foreign court judgments in England.

For a considerable part of his legal career Adrian specialised in handling shipping and international trade matters in London (with Waterson Hicks, a boutique specialist shipping and international trade practice) and in Hong Kong (with Clyde & Co) and this remains an important part of his work load. He handles both contentious and non-contentious shipping work. As well as dealing with charterparty and bill of lading disputes he has considerable experience of shipping finance, newbuilding and vessel repair and ship sale/purchase transactions.

A lawyer who is “very responsive and works hard” and someone who is “good at what he does”.

Chambers Global, 2019

Clients commend Adrian Chadwick for his “in-depth knowledge of this region”. He is recognised for both arbitration and litigation, and peers note he is “particularly respected”.

Chambers Global, 2019

Recognised as “Leading Lawyer” for Shipping

Legal 500, 2018

“Adrian Chadwich is a seasoned expert at handling litigation cases with experience in the DIFC courts and a strong market knowledge.”

Who’s Who Legal Litigation, 2017

“Understand client needs.”

Legal 500, 2017

Recognised as “Leading Lawyer” for Dispute Resolution

Legal 500, 2017

Adrian Chadwick is described by one source as someone “who knows the market well and is a safe pair of hands.”

Chambers Global, 2016

Recognised as “Leading Lawyer” for Shipping

Legal 500, 2015

Adrian Chadwick focuses on shipping, trade and commercial disputes resolved through DIFC litigation or arbitration. Sources describe him as "skilled, extremely practical, and generally a pleasure to work with."